GA is a PreK-12, coed, nonsectarian day school in Fort Washington, PA

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Health Office

Health Services Hours are from 7:30am - 4pm

The school nurse is available to treat students who become injured or suddenly ill. If the nurse is not in the office, contact can be made via the Korman Family Pavilion Manager (267-405-7200) who can always reach the nurse with the Walkie Talkie. The Health Services Department can be contacted by phone at 267-405-7225 or 267-405-7340 or

Emergency First Aid

The school nurse may administer first aid for injuries acquired on school grounds. A parent or person designated on the health form will be contacted to pick up the student when an injury requires further medical attention. In rare instances, an ambulance may be summoned if deemed necessary by the nurse. Every attempt will be made to contact a parent, guardian or emergency back-up person prior to ambulance transportation. A parental release for emergency transport is on each student’s Student Information form. All student health forms require that parents / guardians complete the space for health insurance information (carrier name and ID number) in case a situation requires referral to a hospital.

Sudden Illness

A parent will be contacted to pick up a student when there is persistent nausea or vomiting, elevated temperature (above 100), or a suspected communicable disease. The nurse (ext. 225) should be contacted directly about any communicable disease (e.g. chicken pox, pediculosis [lice], conjunctivitis [pinkeye]), or non-communicable disease a student contracts which may affect the school community. Additionally, it is highly recommended that a student who has had a fever be kept out of school until a normal temperature has been maintained for 24 hours.

Prior to a student returning to school after treatment for pneumonia, hepatitis, mononucleosis, or any hospitalization, the parent should inform the school nurse of the specific illness and provide a doctor’s note to the school nurse on the first morning returning to school.

When a child has any of the following symptoms during the night or in the morning, they should be kept home:

  • Untreated rash or skin eruption anywhere on the body.
  • Diarrhea
  • Severe headache
  • Elevated temperature (100 degrees or more) and until without temperature over 100 degrees for 24 hours without medication
  • Vomiting and until ceased for 24 hours
  • Under the influence of prescription pain medicine

Contagious Diseases

Children with the following diseases must remain at home for the designated number of days or longer if there are complications. A written excuse from the health care provider is required for any student who is absent for three consecutive days.

When your child can return:

  • Chicken Pox: After last blister has crusted over (usually 5 – 7 days).
  • Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye): After 12 hours with proof of medical treatment and discharge has ceased.
  • E-coli: After 2 negative stools.
  • Fifth’s Disease: Free from fever, generally no exclusion.
  • Hand, Foot, & Mouth Disease: Free from fever, after all blisters have dried.
  • Hepatitis: Symptom free and MD note to return to school.
  • Herpes Simplex: No general exclusion. Students with obvious skin or oral lesions should be excluded from wrestling.
  • Impetigo (crusty sores): When all lesions are dry.
  • Influenza: No fever for 24 hours.

Please reach out to Germantown Academy Health Services with any questions or concerns.
Nurse@germantownacademy.org or 267-405-7225 or 267-405-7340.

 

Important Health Forms

The following information is mandatory for students to submit before school begins each September.  Please go to the Magnus Health link in your Veracross Family Portal, download the correct form, fill it out, and return it via email to nurse@germantownacademy.org or drop off at the main desk in the Korman Family Pavilion with ATTN: Health Office. Thanks in advance for your assistance!

 

  Student Information Physical Dental Medication Authorization
PreK Y     As Necessary
K Y

 

    As Necessary

 

1 Y

 

    As Necessary

 

2 Y     As Necessary

 

3 Y   Y As Necessary

 

4 Y     As Necessary

 

5 Y     As Necessary

 

6 Y Y   As Necessary

 

7 Y Y Y As Necessary

 

8 Y Y   As Necessary

 

9 Y Y   As Necessary

 

10 Y Y   As Necessary

 

11 Y Y   As Necessary

 

12 Y Y   As Necessary

 

New Students Y Y Y As Necessary

Important Health Forms

All health forms can be found in MAGNUS which is linked to the Family Portal in Veracross.

 

Meet the Staff

The Health Services Offices is managed by Lori Dougherty Andress ’88, RN, ATC. Lori earned her Bachelor’s degree from West Chester University and her nursing degree from the Dixon School of Nursing at Abington Memorial Hospital. She is a certified athletic trainer and registered nurse. She has been a member of the GA community for many years, dating back to her time as a student when she graduated from GA in 1988. From 1996-2001, Lori served as the school’s full-time athletic trainer, and was then the part-time trainer until 2004. Before returning to GA as the school’s lead nurse in September 2008, Lori spent three years as a nurse on Abington Hospital’s neurological floor.

Lori leads a staff of three part-time nurses and a volunteer Medical Director (Dr. Ken Gelman).

 

Health Assessments

Every year, state mandated health screening assessments are conducted in the following areas: Hearing Screening (grades K,1,2,3,7 and 11), Vision Screening (grades K-12), Heights and Weights (grades K-12) and Scoliosis Screening (Grades 6 and 7).

A Health History Form for each student is required every year. The state mandates that new students entering the school have a physical and dental check up. All students must have a physical and all seventh grade students must have a dental check up. If parents have questions regarding their child’s participation in these assessments, they should contact the school nurse. Forms will be updated and online in May of each school year.